Tennessee State University’s junior strong safety Eugene Clifford leads three other Tigers in being named to the 2009 All-Ohio Valley Conference football team. The All-OVC team is selected by a vote of the league’s football coaches and sports information directors.

Clifford, was named to the first team defense, following his selection to the Preseason All-OVC team. Three other Tigers gained All-OVC second team honors on the defensive team. They were junior linebacker John Jones, Jr., senior defensive end Kellen Woodard and senior defensive back Anthony Levine. Jones, a transfer from Florida, was also selected to the 2009 All-Newcomer team.

Eugene Clifford, a 6-2, 195 junior from Cincinnati, Ohio finished the season as the third leading tackler for the Big Blue, being credited with 60 stops (34 solo), 2 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions with 12 passes defended (5 break-up). Clifford returned 1 interception for a TD (69) and one fumble for a TD (78), the longest in modern TSU football history. Clifford was named to the Preseason All-OVC team after being named 2nd Team All-OVC in 2008, as well as to the All-Newcomer Team.

John Jones, Jr.., a 6-3, 215 linebacker from Sarasota, FL, was named to the second team All-OVC. He led the Tigers in tackles with 70 stops (41 solo), including 8.5 TFLs (18), six pass defenses (3 breakups), 3 Quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery and 1 safety. Jones, who transferred into the Tiger program from the University of Florida, was also named to the OVC All-Newcomer Team.

Two other Big Blue players, senior defensive end Kellen Woodard and senior defensive back Anthony Levine were named to the All-OVC defensive second team.

Woodard, a 6-3, 255 native of Beverly Hills, Michigan,was tied for the team in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (8.5). He finished the season as the team’s fourth leading tackler with 51 tackles (23 solo). He was also credited with 5 QBHs, two pass defenses and 1 forced fumble.Anthony Levine, is a 6-1, 195 safety from Winston-Salem, NC, who finished the season with 48 tackles (32 solo), 4 passes defended, 2 interceptions and 2 TFLs.

Despite TSU’s won-loss record the Big Blue defense finished the season ranked 2nd in the OVC in Rush Defense and Total Defense. The Tigers were ranked 24th nationally (FCS) in Total Defense and 31st nationally (FCS) in Rushing Defense.